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GLOSSARY
Bartimaeus
Pronunciation: bar-tih-MAY-us
Occurrences: 10
First Reference: Yeshua 36:1
There lived in Jerusalem a man which was blind from birth, whose name was Bartimaeus; and each day he would come and sit at the temple gates begging alms of those which went in.
Summary: A man born blind from birth, Bartimaeus sat daily at the temple gates in Jerusalem, begging alms from those that entered. One day while passing by, the disciples asked Yeshua: “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Yeshua responded, saying:
...“Know you not what you have asked? For how can a man sin before he is born, except that you first believe in the rebirth of the soul?
But I tell you truly, that neither has this man sinned, nor his parents; for it was expedient that the works of God be made manifest through him.
For this cause am I sent unto the world, that I might make manifest the works of him that sent me; work while yet it is still day and the light shines upon you.
For when the night is come, then can no man work, for darkness is come upon you. I tell you truly, that as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After speaking to the disciples, Yeshua had Bartimaeus brought to him and proceeded to heal the man of his blindness. News of the miraculous healing spread quickly throughout the community. Curious neighbors brought Bartimaeus to the synagogue to be examined by the Pharisees, who in spite of their efforts could not escape the theological predicament posed by Yeshua healing Bartimaeus on the Sabbath. The Pharisees continued to press Bartimaeus, hoping they could get him to discredit Yeshua and the miracle, but Bartimaeus maintained his position and rebuked the Pharisees, reminding them: “If, therefore, Yeshua were not of God, he could do nothing at all. Yet I am he which was born blind, but now I see.” The Pharisees responded by having Bartimaeus cast out of the synagogue (Yeshua 36:35-41).
Bartimaeus became an ardent follow of Yeshua and a beloved member of the discipleship.
Azrael’s Commentary — Bartimaeus
After being healed of his blindness, Bartimaeus remained a faithful disciple of Yeshua throughout his life. After the post-resurrectional teachings of Yeshua, one of the greatest joys in the life of Bartimaeus was the conversion of his family. Between 37 and 50 CE, Bartimaeus appointed himself an evangelist and preached untiringly throughout Judea, Samaria, Perea and Galilee.
A simple, happy man of humble faith, Bartimaeus was much loved by the disciples of Yeshua. In Jerusalem, during the first synod of 50 CE, the apostles appointed Bartimaeus to the council of the Seventy; being made responsible for the poor who were numbered among the followers of the Nazarene. In 70 CE, during the siege of Jerusalem, Bartimaeus was killed while trying to defend the brother of Yeshua from an angry mob. The brother was James the Just, Bishop of Jerusalem.
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